Distribución y biomasa de anchoveta (Engraulis ringens) y múnida (Pleuroncodes monodon) en el ecosistema marino de la Reserva Nacional de Paracas, región sur del Perú

Distribution and biomass of anchovy (Engraulis ringens) and pelagic red squat lobster (Pleuroncodes monodon) in marine ecosystem of Paracas National Reserve, southern Peru

Abstract

The demography of dominant pelagic species in the coastal marine zone of the Marine Protected Area of ​​the Paracas National Reserve was studied. The distribution of anchovy and pelagic red crab was mainly coastal and with acoustic records up to 72 mn of coast distance. High densities of anchovy were observed in mixed waters of Cold Coastal Waters and Superficial Subtropical Waters above oxycline in Pisco and in Paracas and pelagic red crab, mainly associated with Cold Coastal Waters and in anoxic intermediate waters in the center and south of the RNP. Vertically, the anchovy schools were found at an average depth of 9.84 m and a depth range from the surface to 86.30 m. The highest abundances (~> -45 dB) were found mainly in the first 20 m of the water column. The densest schools were detected during daylight hours. Pelagic red crab aggregations were recorded at an average depth of 18.23 m and depth range 1.2 and 100.89 m deep. The highest abundances (~> -55 dB) were detected in the first 25 m of the water column and during the night hours. An annual anchovy biomass is estimated between 1.7 and 3.3 million tons and an annual pelagic red crab biomass between 1.43 and 1.6 million tons in and around the MPAs. The Paracas National Reserve plays an ecological and economic role, favoring the conservation and health of the ecosystem, as well as the formation of biomass of pelagic fishery resources from the high productivity of upwelling areas, contributing to the ecosystem service of fisheries activity, as well as a mitigation mechanism for the effect of climate change.